Collapsible Frame for Supporting a Bag

ABSTRACT

A collapsible frame includes first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth bones. The first bone includes a horizontal segment extending between two vertical segments. The second bone includes a horizontal segment extending between two vertical segments. The third bone includes two lateral segments. The fourth bone includes two lateral segments. Each of the vertical segments of the first bone is pivotally connected to a related one of the lateral segments of the third bone and a related one of the lateral segments of the fourth bone. The horizontal segment of the first bone is pivotally connected to the horizontal segment of the second bone. Each of the vertical segments of the second bone is pivotally connected to an end of the fifth bone and an end of the sixth bone.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a collapsible frame for supporting abag for containing things.

2. Related Prior Art

There are various containers such as baskets, boxes, buckets, cases andtanks for containing things. Most of the containers include fixedconfigurations that cannot be collapsed. Therefore, it takes a largespace and costs a lot of money in storing and transporting thecontainers.

The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at leastalleviate the problems encountered in prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide acollapsible frame for supporting a bag for containing things.

To achieve the forgoing objective, the collapsible frame includes first,second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth bones. The first bone includes ahorizontal segment extending between two vertical segments. The secondbone includes a horizontal segment extending between two verticalsegments. The third bone includes two lateral segments. The fourth boneincludes two lateral segments. A first joint pivotally connects one ofthe vertical segments of the first bone to one of the lateral segmentsof the third bone and one of the lateral segments of the fourth bone. Asecond joint pivotally connects the other vertical segment of the firstbone to the other lateral segment of the third bone and the otherlateral segment of the fourth bone. A third joint pivotally connects thehorizontal segment of the first bone to the horizontal segment of thesecond bone. A fourth joint pivotally connects one of the verticalsegments of the second bone to an end of the fifth bone and an end ofthe sixth bone. A fifth joint pivotally connects the other verticalsegment of the second bone to another end of the fifth bone and anotherend of the sixth bone.

Other objectives, advantages and features of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following description referring to the attacheddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described via detailed illustration of twoembodiments referring to the drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible frame according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2 through 4 are perspective views of the collapsible frame to showa process for turning the collapsible frame to a collapsed position froman extended position shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, partial view of a device for interconnectingbones of the collapsible frame as indicated with “A” in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, partial view of a device for interconnectingbones of the collapsible frame as indicated with “B” in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, partial view of a device for interconnectingbones of the collapsible frame as indicated with “C” in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, partial view of a device for interconnectingbones of the collapsible frame as indicated with “D” in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of collapsible frame according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are perspective views of the collapsible frame to show aprocess for turning the collapsible frame to a collapsed position froman extended position shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged, partial view of a device for interconnectingbones of the collapsible frame as indicated with “E” in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a bag supported on the collapsibleframe shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 8, a collapsible frame includes a firstbone 11, a second bone 12, a third bone 13, a fourth bone 14, a fifthbone 15 and a sixth bone 16 pivotally connected to one another accordingto a first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 13,the collapsible frame can support a bag 30 for containing things. Thefirst bone 11 is a U-shaped bone including a horizontal segmentextending between two vertical segments.

The second bone 12 is also a U-shaped bone including a horizontalsegment extending between two vertical segments. The horizontal segmentof the second bone 12 is pivotally connected to the horizontal segmentof the first bone 11 with a joint 113 as clearly shown in FIG. 6.

With the joint 113, the collapsible frame is collapsible about an axisZ.

The third bone 13 includes two lateral segments 131 and 132 between twohorizontal segments 133 and 134. The horizontal segment 133 is formedwith two bosses 135. The lateral segments 131 and 132 are inperpendicular to the horizontal segments 133 and 134. Therefore, thethird bone 13 includes a substantially rectangular configuration. A bentsegment 20 extends between the horizontal segment 134 and each of thelateral segments 131 and 132. The bent segments 20 are used as feet forcontact with the ground or a floor.

Similarly, the fourth bone 14 includes two lateral segments 141 and 142between two horizontal segments 143 and 144. The horizontal segment 143is formed with two bosses 145. The lateral segments 141 and 142 are inperpendicular to the horizontal segments 143 and 144. Therefore, thefourth bone 14 includes a substantially rectangular configuration. Abent segment 20 extends between the horizontal segment 144 and each ofthe lateral segments 141 and 142. The bent segments 20 are used as feetfor contact with the ground or the floor.

The lateral segment 131 of the third bone 13 and the lateral segment 141of the fourth bone 14 are pivotally connected to a tip of a related oneof the vertical segments of the first bone 11 with a joint 111 asclearly shown in FIG. 5. Similarly, the lateral segment 132 of the thirdbone 13 and the lateral segment 142 of the fourth bone 14 are pivotallyconnected to a tip of the other vertical segment of the first bone 11with a joint 112. The joints 111 and 112 are identical. With the joints111 and 112, the collapsible frame is collapsible about an axis X.

The fifth bone 15 is an inverted U-shaped bone including a horizontalsegment 151 extending between two lateral segments. The horizontalsegment 151 of the fifth bone 15 is in perpendicular to the lateralsegments of the fifth bone 15.

The sixth bone 16 is also an inverted U-shaped bone including ahorizontal segment 161 extending between two lateral segments. Thehorizontal segment 161 of the sixth bone 16 is in perpendicular to thelateral segments of the sixth bone 16.

One of the lateral segments of the fifth bone 15 and a related one ofthe lateral segments of the sixth bone 16 are pivotally connected to atip of a related one of the vertical segments of the second bone 12 witha joint 121. Similarly, the other lateral segment of the fifth bone 15and the other lateral segment of the sixth bone 16 are pivotallyconnected to a tip of the other vertical segment of the second bone 12with a joint 122. The joints 121 and 122 are identical. With the joints121 and 122, the collapsible frame is collapsible about an axis Y.

Referring to FIG. 7, a connecting device detachably connects thehorizontal segment of the second bone 12 to the horizontal segment 134of the third bone 13. Another connecting device detachably connects thehorizontal segment of the second bone 12 to the horizontal segment 144of the fourth bone 14. Each of the connecting devices includes a hook 17extending from each end of the horizontal segment of the second bone 12.One of the hooks 17 hooks the horizontal segment 134 of the third bone13. The other hook 17 hooks the horizontal segment 144 of the fourthbone 14.

Referring to FIG. 8, a connecting device detachably connects thehorizontal segment 151 of the fifth bone 15 to the lateral segment 131of the third bone 13. Another connecting device detachably connects thehorizontal segment 151 of the fifth bone 15 to the lateral segment 141of the fourth bone 14. Another connecting device detachably connects thehorizontal segment 161 of the sixth bone 16 to the lateral segment 131of the third bone 13. Another connecting device detachably connects thehorizontal segment 161 of the sixth bone 16 to the lateral segment 141of the fourth bone 14.

Each of the connecting devices includes a hook 17 extending from eachend of each of the horizontal segments 151 and 161. A space 18 is hencedefined by each of the hooks 17 and a related one of the lateralsegments of a related one of the bones 15 and 16. Each of the spaces 18receives a related one of the lateral elements 131, 132, 141 and 142.The bosses 135 and 145 prevent the hooks 17 from sliding along thehorizontal segments 133 and 143. In addition, a movable restrainingelement 19 can be used to retain the lateral elements 131, 132, 141 and142 within the spaces 18.

The collapsible frame can be moved between an extended position as shownin FIG. 1 and a collapsed position as shown in FIG. 2. Obviously, ittakes a small space and costs a little money in storing and transportingthe collapsible frame.

To collapse the collapsible frame, the restraining elements 19 areremoved from the bones 15 and 16 as shown in FIG. 2. Then, the bones 13and 14 are pivoted towards each other about the axis X for a small angleand released from the hooks 17. Then, the bones 15 and 16 are pivotedtowards each other about the axis Y and located against each other asshown in FIG. 3. Then, the second bone 12, together with the bones 15and 16, is pivoted on the first bone 11 about the axis Z. Thus, thebones 11 and 12 are substantially in a same plane. The bones 13 and 14are further pivoted towards each other about the axis X and finallylocated against each other.

To extend the collapsible frame, the bones 11 and 12 are opened so thatthere is an angle of 90 degrees between the horizontal segment of thefirst bone 11 and the horizontal segment of the second bone 12. Thebones 13 and 14 are opened so that the lateral segment 131 and thelateral segment 141 form a X-shaped structure and that the lateralsegment 132 and the lateral segment 142 form another X-shaped structure.The bones 15 and 16 are opened so that each of the lateral segments ofthe fifth bone 15 and a related one of the lateral segments of the sixthbone 16 form a V-shaped structure. Finally, the horizontal segments 151and 161 are connected to the horizontal segments 133 and 143.

Referring to FIG. 13, the bag 30 includes four extensive portions 31extending from an edge around an open end thereof. Each of the extensiveportions 31 is wound around a related one of the horizontal segments133, 143, 151 and 161. Thus, the bag 30 is opened and supported on thecollapsible frame, and things can easily be tossed into the bag 30.

Referring to FIGS. 9 through 12, there is shown a collapsible frameaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention. The secondembodiment is like the first embodiment except a few things. Firstly,each of the bones 15 and 16 extends in an arch instead of along aninverted U-shaped path. Secondly, there is a seventh bone 133 instead ofthe horizontal segment 133 of the third bone 13. Thirdly, there is aneighth bone 143 instead of the horizontal segment 143 of the fourth bone14. Each of the bones 133 and 143 extends in an arch. Each end of theseventh bone 133 is pivotally connected to an end of the eighth bone 143with a joint 21. The bones 133 and 143 form a circular structure as thecollapsible frame is in the extended position. The circular structure isdetachably connected to each of the bones 15 and 16 with a clip 19. Eachof the clips 19 includes a lower arched portion for hooking a relatedone of the bones 15 and 16 and two upper arched portions 191 each forhooking a related one of the bones 133 and 143. Each of the lower andupper arched portions looks like a “C” from an end. The seventh bone 133is pivotally connected to each of the lateral segments 131 and 132 ofthe third bone 13 with a joint. The eighth bone 143 is pivotallyconnected to each of the lateral segments 141 and 142 of the fourth bone14 with another joint. An end of each of the bones 133 and 143 ispivotally connected to a middle point 151 of the fifth bone 15. Anotherend of each of the bones 133 and 143 is pivotally connected to a middlepoint 161 of the sixth bone 16. The collapsible frame can be movedbetween an extended position as shown in FIG. 3 and a collapsed positionas shown in FIG. 4.

The present invention has been described via the detailed illustrationof the embodiments. Those skilled in the art can derive variations fromthe embodiments without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. Therefore, the embodiments shall not limit the scope of thepresent invention defined in the claims.

1. A collapsible frame comprising: a first bone (11) including twovertical segments and a horizontal segment extending between thevertical segments; a second bone (12) including two vertical segmentsand a horizontal segment extending between the vertical segmentsthereof; a third bone (13) including two lateral segments (131, 132); afourth bone (14) including two lateral segments (141, 142); a fifth bone(15); a sixth bone (16); a first joint (111) for pivotally connectingone of the vertical segments of the first bone (11) to one of thelateral segments (131) of the third bone (13) and one of the lateralsegments (141) of the fourth bone (14); a second joint (112) forpivotally connecting the other vertical segment of the first bone (11)to the other lateral segment (132) of the third bone (13) and the otherlateral segment (142) of the fourth bone (14); a third joint (113) forpivotally connecting the horizontal segment of the first bone (11) tothe horizontal segment of the second bone (12); a fourth joint (121) forpivotally connecting one of the vertical segments of the second bone(12) to an end of the fifth bone (15) and an end of the sixth bone (16);a fifth joint (122) for pivotally connecting the other vertical segmentof the second bone (12) to another end of the fifth bone (15) andanother end of the sixth bone (16).
 2. The collapsible frame accordingto claim 1, including a connecting device for detachably connecting thehorizontal segment (151; 162) of each of the fifth and sixth bones (15,16) to a related one of the lateral segments (131, 132; 141, 142) of arelated one of the third and fourth bones (13, 14).
 3. The collapsibleframe according to claim 2, wherein the connecting device includes ahook (17) and a recess (18) for receiving the hook (17).
 4. Thecollapsible frame according to claim 3, wherein the connecting deviceincludes a movable restraining element (19) for retaining the hook (17)in the recess (18).
 5. The collapsible frame according to claim 1,wherein the third bone (13) includes a lower horizontal segments (134)extending between the lateral segments (131, 132) thereof, wherein thefourth bone (14) includes a lower horizontal segment (144) extendingbetween the lateral segments (141, 142) thereof.
 6. The collapsibleframe according to claim 5, wherein the third bone (13) includes anupper horizontal segment (133) extending between the lateral segments(131, 132) thereof, wherein the fourth bone (14) includes an upperhorizontal segment (143) extending between the lateral segments (141,142) thereof, wherein each of the third and fourth bones (13, 14)includes a rectangular configuration.
 7. The collapsible frame accordingto claim 6, wherein each of the fifth and sixth bones (15, 16) includesa rectangular configuration.
 8. The collapsible frame according to claim5, including a seventh bone (133) pivotally connected to the lateralsegments (131, 132) of the third bone (13) and an eighth bone (143)pivotally connected to the lateral segments (141, 142) of the fourthbone (14), wherein the seventh bone (133) is pivotally connected to theeighth bone (143).
 9. The collapsible frame according to claim 8,wherein each of the seventh and eighth bones (133, 143) includes anarched configuration.
 10. The collapsible frame according to claim 9,wherein the seventh and eighth bones (133, 143) for a circular structureas the collapsible frame is in an extended position.
 11. The collapsibleframe according to claim 9, wherein each of the fifth and sixth bones(15, 16) includes an arched configuration.
 12. The collapsible frameaccording to claim 5, wherein each of the third and fourth bones (13,14) includes a bent segment (20) extending between the lower horizontalsegment (134, 144) thereof and each of the lateral segments (131, 132;141, 142) thereof.